jelly123
03-13-2008, 09:29 PM
Harry Kewell looks set to make his first appearance in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers but question marks remain about the availability of other key Socceroos ahead of their match against China on March 26.
Australia coach Pim Verbeek named a provisional 21-man squad for the fixture in Kunming, the group made up entirely of overseas based players.
Kewell missed the 3-0 win over Qatar in the opening qualifier at the MCG last month but has indicated his keenness to play in Kunming after limited first team appearances for Liverpool in the English Premier League this season.
Socceroo teammate Mark Viduka, who is still thought to be contemplating his international future, was not considered while there was no room for any A-League players in the squad.
Question marks remain over other players chosen, including linchpin Tim Cahill and defensive midfielder Vince Grella.
Cahill missed Everton's UEFA Cup loss to Fiorentina on Wednesday night but Verbeek was hopeful he'd be back for the Toffees on the weekend and then the Socceroos.
"Tim is a key player for Everton and a key player for us so there's no doubt (he is a concern)," Verbeek told FoxSports.
"I had contact with Timmy about it - he didn't play (against Fiorentina), he was not fit - but we all expect him to play on the weekend.
"Vince Grella - probably not on the weekend but he will be ready next Wednesday when they (Serie A side Torino) play the next game so we have more than 10 days to go to find out whether the players are fit."
As for Viduka, Verbeek said he expected the Newcastle striker to be in the mix for future qualifiers.
"Mark as far as I know - and I spoke to him a week ago - is still very interested in being part of the Socceroos," Verbeek said.
"I will visit him in April ... I will have a good conversation.
"Mark is ready, Mark is willing but China away at 1900 metres is not a game where we need Mark Viduka."
Verbeek said he was leaving his options open as to who from the 21 would be used and indicated others may also be called up, particularly from the squad of A-League players chosen to play Singapore in a warm-up on March 22.
"We have placed a large group of players on notice that they could be called up for the match," he said.
"Some of those players may not end up being included in the final squad and also players from the team that play against Singapore could also be added."
While Australia got off to the strongest possible start with a comprehensive win over Qatar, the Chinese are expected to present a far stiffer challenge at altitude in Kunming.
"China will be desperate to win because they had a draw in their first match," Verbeek said.
"It is vital to win your matches at home and China know this which is why they have been preparing themselves in Kunming since 1 March."
Socceroos squad: Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Jacob Burns (Unirea Valahorum, Romania), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Bristol City, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), James Troisi (Newcastle, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Netherlands).
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=390288&rss=yes
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5587804,00.jpg
Australia coach Pim Verbeek named a provisional 21-man squad for the fixture in Kunming, the group made up entirely of overseas based players.
Kewell missed the 3-0 win over Qatar in the opening qualifier at the MCG last month but has indicated his keenness to play in Kunming after limited first team appearances for Liverpool in the English Premier League this season.
Socceroo teammate Mark Viduka, who is still thought to be contemplating his international future, was not considered while there was no room for any A-League players in the squad.
Question marks remain over other players chosen, including linchpin Tim Cahill and defensive midfielder Vince Grella.
Cahill missed Everton's UEFA Cup loss to Fiorentina on Wednesday night but Verbeek was hopeful he'd be back for the Toffees on the weekend and then the Socceroos.
"Tim is a key player for Everton and a key player for us so there's no doubt (he is a concern)," Verbeek told FoxSports.
"I had contact with Timmy about it - he didn't play (against Fiorentina), he was not fit - but we all expect him to play on the weekend.
"Vince Grella - probably not on the weekend but he will be ready next Wednesday when they (Serie A side Torino) play the next game so we have more than 10 days to go to find out whether the players are fit."
As for Viduka, Verbeek said he expected the Newcastle striker to be in the mix for future qualifiers.
"Mark as far as I know - and I spoke to him a week ago - is still very interested in being part of the Socceroos," Verbeek said.
"I will visit him in April ... I will have a good conversation.
"Mark is ready, Mark is willing but China away at 1900 metres is not a game where we need Mark Viduka."
Verbeek said he was leaving his options open as to who from the 21 would be used and indicated others may also be called up, particularly from the squad of A-League players chosen to play Singapore in a warm-up on March 22.
"We have placed a large group of players on notice that they could be called up for the match," he said.
"Some of those players may not end up being included in the final squad and also players from the team that play against Singapore could also be added."
While Australia got off to the strongest possible start with a comprehensive win over Qatar, the Chinese are expected to present a far stiffer challenge at altitude in Kunming.
"China will be desperate to win because they had a draw in their first match," Verbeek said.
"It is vital to win your matches at home and China know this which is why they have been preparing themselves in Kunming since 1 March."
Socceroos squad: Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Jacob Burns (Unirea Valahorum, Romania), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Bristol City, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), James Troisi (Newcastle, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Netherlands).
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=390288&rss=yes
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5587804,00.jpg